Just curious about folks' thoughts on whether the crappie will come into the creeks early this year given that we apparently aren't going to have a winter. I am a newbie as far as crappie, but the conditions seem similar to when i started catching them the last few years (which was generally mid March). I am on a cove on Cedar Creek. Haven't caught them from the docks here yet this year, but i was curious if anyone has experienced this situation before.

Thanks!!

They could, Just watch the water temps. Right now night time temps are still pretty cool so it keeps the water cooler down. When we have a week or so of night time temps in the 50+ things should start to pick up a little. When you start seeing consistent surface temps of 57-58 that's when Id start looking. CC is quite a bit further south than here, on my local lake temps are still cold, not sure what they are at CC.

thanks for quick response - i will check night time temps more closely - you are right as far as getting colder at night - did not even think of that!

and keep in mind water temps are no the only thing that gets the fish moving shallow, lengthening days plays in to it quite a bit as does moon phase with that being said, I don't fish cedar creek much so I can't give any specific info other than what temps to look for. Im sure one of the cedar creek guys will be able to chime in and give some specific info about what's going on right now.

Either there are no cedar creek fishermen left, OR they are all catching crappie!

Fish our cove at tawakoni... No crappie yet but I am getting a few shad and LOTS of baby crappie in my cast net

MBDLaw,In Cedar Creek(under hwy 175)and eastward a fellow introduced me to the goby technique for detecting the Crappie spawn.It also works in Kings Creek under hwy 274 as well&It has been very fruitfull for me ever since.

Remember 3 years or so ago we had ice storms in March. We may have a winter...it just may be a late winter.

Reggie

Please explain the goby technique .I have neve heard of it. Thanks

Yes I'm interested in the goby technique too!

Got some females staging this morning in the slips about 10-12 ft deep. Big ol' bellies on them. It's definitely on their minds.

Fishbonz, nice catch

IMO...regardless of the weather...it's the calendar that matters. A great "general rule of thumb" for most of North Texas is the Spring Break window. That timeframe seems to consistently cooperate with shallow spawning fish on some part of our lakes.

I have not been catching them shallow on Cedar Creek lake yet, but have been in several of the creeks here in North Texas. They are just around the corner though

on a bare hook even

When the Bluebonnets bloom,,it's on!